If you have issues with a ChargePoint station, please call their 24/7 driver hotline at 1-888-758-4389
For other concerns, RCEA is open from 9am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday to answer your questions at 707-269-1700
Residential EV pages:
RCEA’s Transportation Goals
The goal of RCEA’s Transportation Program is to support the use of low-carbon fuel vehicles in Humboldt County. To do this we:
- Plan, manage, and implement the infrastructure necessary to support zero emissions vehicles
- Provide information, education, and incentives to encourage the adoption of low-carbon fuel vehicles by local residents, businesses, and public agencies
There are many types of fuels other than standard gasoline and diesel that can be used to power motor vehicles. While advanced fuel efforts in Humboldt have thus far focused on electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, improved technology and reduced cost of advanced fuels may make more of these options practical for our area in the future.
Interested in Owning an Electric Vehicle?
RCEA has a variety of resources for current and potential EV drivers. If you have more questions or would like additional information, please call our office at 707-269-1700 and our Transportation Specialist would be happy to speak with you.
Types of Electric Vehicles
An electric vehicle (EV) is a car that runs on an electric motor that is powered by electricity. There are several types of EVs on the market, also known as “ZEVs,” zero emissions vehicles:
Battery Electric Vehicle: A battery electric vehicle (BEV) operates entirely on electricity and needs to be plugged in to be recharged.
Standard Hybrid: A standard hybrid engine is powered by both a gasoline or electric motor that is recharged by the engine. This car can only be fueled by gas and cannot be plugged in.
Plug-in Hybrid: A plug- in hybrid (PHEV) is powered by an electric motor that receives assistance from a gasoline (or diesel) engine. PHEVs can be plugged in to be recharged. PHEVs are considered ZEVs by the State of California.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric: A hydrogen fuel cell (FCEV) runs on an electric motor that is powered through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. This car must be refueled with liquid hydrogen.
Interested in Owning an Electric Vehicle?
RCEA has lots of resources for current and potential EV drivers. If you have more questions or would like additional information, please call our office at 707-269-1700 and our Transportation Specialist would be happy to speak with you.
Model Year 2021 Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicles
There are many models of low-carbon vehicles available. This list created by the United States Department of Energy provides a brief snapshot of all the 2021 vehicle models (PDF), including their range and fuel economy. See pages 1-2 for a list of all the new battery electric vehicles, and pages 15-17 for a list of the new plug-in hybrid electric vehicles you can consider for lease or purchase.
Financial Incentives and Assistance
View the RCEA EV Incentives Sheet (PDF) to learn more about some of the various incentives available for buying an electric vehicle.
Model Year 2021 Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicles
There are many models of low-carbon, zero emissions vehicles available. This list created by the United States Department of Energy provides a brief snapshot of all the 2024 vehicle models (PDF), including their range and fuel economy. See pages 6-7 for a list of all the new battery electric vehicles, and pages 15-17 for a list of the new plug-in hybrid electric vehicles you can consider for lease or purchase.
- RCEA EV Incentives Sheet (PDF) has some of the various incentives available for buying an electric vehicle.
Figure out how much an EV will cost you after all available savings and incentives are added in. These sites are helpful:
- PlugStar’s Shopping Assistant: https://plugstar.com/guide
- Veloz’s Electric for All: https://www.electricforall.org/which-car-is-right
- EZ-EV’s EV Showroom: https://www.ez-ev.com/showroom
- PG&E EV Savings Calculator: https://ev.pge.com/
There are several different rate plans/schedules for EV drivers that want to charge at home.
- PG&E provides an explanation of the different residential EV rates.
- Here is a PDF of RCEA’s Residential Rates (PDF).
- The best rate schedule for any given driver varies greatly and is dependent on your electricity usage and how you drive your EV.
- You can request a rate analysis from PG&E by calling 1-800-743-0335.
- There are no specific EV rates offered to commercial customers at this time, but there are a variety of non-residential time-of-use rates (PDF) that may help businesses save money for charging their EV fleets.
Regardless of your rate schedule, you can save money on your electricity bill and support local programs by switching over to RCEA’s Community Choice Energy program.
Please visit our FAQ page
Other types of alternative fuels
EN 
ES